New Orleans events calendar for Feb. 21-27, 2013

New Orleans events calendar for Feb. 21-27, 2013

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, FEB. 22-24

ROCK N’ ROLL NEW ORLEANS MARATHON: Health and Fitness Expo at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on Friday and Saturday featuring more than 60 exhibitors and retailers with health and nutrition information, products for sale and sample as well as free fitness related clincs. ING KiDS ROCK fun run, Saturday, City Park. Registration online at http://ingkidsrock.com. Sunday, Rock N’ Roll New Orleans Marathon and Half Marathon, Poydras Street, New Orleans. Featuring former Saints football player Steve Gleason and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready. Event concludes with a headliner concert and finish line festival in City Park. Proceeds benefit ALS research. http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/new-orleans.

SATURDAY, FEB. 23

SEEKING THE UNKNOWN— PERSPECTIVES ON LOUISIANA’S NATURAL HISTORY: all day, Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., New Orleans. Sponsored by the Historic New Orleans Collection. The presentations will examine several centuries’ worth of human interactions with the Louisiana environment, including sessions on pre-colonial American Indians, the first European observations of the area, Spanish governor Antonio de Ulloa’s scientific pursuits, noted naturalist John James Audubon and more. In addition, representatives from two Louisiana university museums will participate in a panel discussion on the preservation of the state’s natural history. Registration is required and rates range between $40 and $85. Registration fees include the full day of presentations plus a special preview of the companion exhibition “Seeking the Unknown: Natural History Observations in Louisiana, 1698–1840,” on Friday, Feb. 22, where attendees will have an opportunity to meet the speakers and exhibition curators. For more information, including a complete schedule of talks and links to online registration, visit www.hnoc.org/programs/symposia.html.

TUESDAY, FEB. 26

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP — THE TIME TO WRITE: 4:30 p.m., NOCCA, 2800 Chartres St., New Orleans. Middle School Workshop, for current grades 6-8. 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays: Feb 26, March 5, 12, 19. Using the techniques of flashback, flash-forward, and linear storytelling you will write short fiction and non-fiction pieces. $20. Please bring a notebook and pen.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27

SPRING SOIREE: 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Basin Street Station, New Orleans. A dazzling night of culture and community to help raise funds for Jazz in the Park and the range of cultral and economic development programs by People United for Armstrong Park. Hors d’oeuvres, open bar, silent auction. $50. (504) 233-8276 or email karen@armstrongpark.org.

ONGOING

THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION: 533 Royal St., New Orleans. “Seeking the Unknown: Natural History Observations in Louisiana, 1698–1840” relives the romance and mystery of Louisiana’s early scientific expeditions. The more than 100 items on display include centuries-old plant and animal specimens native to Louisiana and collected by various explorers and scientists; and several reptile specimens in jars that were collected in the 1830s. Detailed drawings, watercolors and illustrated folios — including several by John James Audubon — will also be on display. The exhibition will remain on view through June 2. The galleries are open to the public Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MUSEUM: 945 Magazine St., New Orleans. “Gridiron Glory Exhibition,”a new traveling exhibition detailing pro football’s history in America with special sections devoted to the game’s World War II history and the New Orleans Saints, through May 5. (504) 528-1943 or http://www.nationalww2museum.org. http://www.nationalww2museum.org or (504) 528-1943.

NEW ORLEANS’ ORIGINAL RED LIGHT TOUR: Wednesdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m., Erin Rose Bar, 811 Conti St., New Orleans. New Orleans’ Original Red Light Tour takes you on a journey through ribald tales of Storyville, the Tango Belt, The Last Madame’s house and much more. $20. (504) 523-8619.